How Much Does Ivy Removal Cost by Type? [2026 Data]

Landscaping costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.

Get quotes from landscapers near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from landscapers near you
No obligation · 100% free
Cost Insights:
  • Professional ivy removal costs between $400 and $600, depending on ivy type and removal method.

  • The ivy location drives labor needs, ground growth clears faster than vines on trees, fences, or walls.

  • You should budget for debris hauling and disposal, with add-on fees starting around $150 for larger loads.

  • Hiring a local tree removal professional protects your household from urushiol exposure and reduces ladder-related injury risk.

In 2026, the national average cost for ivy removal is $500, though your total will depend on the type of ivy, how far it has spread, and the removal method used. Most homeowners pay between $400 and $600, with costs driven by ivy location, extent of growth, and labor intensity. Treating a smaller area with herbicide can cost as little as $300, while extensive growth onto fences and up trees can run $850 or more.

Ivy Removal Costs: What Affects the Price?

The cost to remove ivy mostly depends on the treatment method and project scope, but you should also budget for estimates and debris removal when planning your total spend.

Estimates

Poison ivy removal estimates typically start at $75 per hour with a two-hour minimum, since every job is different and many professionals require a site visit to walk your property, identify problem areas, and develop an accurate treatment plan. If you move forward with the project, your technician may apply the estimate fee toward the total project cost.

Project Scope

The extent and location of your ivy growth are the two biggest drivers of removal cost, with ground-level ivy running $50 to $75 per hour and tree-climbing ivy reaching $100 per hour or more because technicians need ladders to access high vines. Isolated patches are the least expensive to treat, while ivy that has spread as ground cover, climbed a fence, or wound up a tree adds time, chemicals, and complexity to the job.

Debris Removal

Physical ivy removal comes with additional disposal fees, typically $25 per 10-pound bag or $100 per cubic yard for bagging and hauling the refuse. Composting is not a reliable DIY option because ivy can regrow even in compost conditions, and many municipalities will not accept it in regular trash. Your two best alternatives are hiring a junk removal service for $60 to $600 or renting a dumpster for $290 to $480 to drop it off yourself, with the way to remove yard waste you choose depending on how quickly you need the debris gone.

Ivy Removal Costs by Type: Which Option Fits?

Ivy removal costs on your property depend on whether you're dealing with non-climbing or climbing ivy, how much area it covers, and the removal method your pro recommends.

Non-Climbing Ivy

Non-climbing ivy, which includes ground-hugging varieties like poison oak and poison sumac, is generally the less expensive type to remove, with costs ranging from $300 for insecticide treatment to $500 for manual extraction. Because these plants grow as bushes and shrubs rather than vines, no ladder work is required, which keeps labor time and complexity lower than climbing varieties.

Climbing Ivy

Climbing ivy, which includes vines like English ivy and poison ivy, costs an average of $500 to $850 to remove. These plants can spread across the ground but also entangle fences, poles, and trees, and longer-established growth often requires ladder work, adding time and labor to the job.

Ivy Removal Costs: What Do Pros Charge?

Pros typically charge $50 to $75 per hour to remove ivy, rising to $100 per hour or more when the job requires climbing, such as removing ivy from a tree. Your total project cost will also depend on the type of ivy, how far it has spread, and the treatment method chosen. Herbicide spray is the most affordable and quickest option, often completed in as little as three hours, while manual removal is the most expensive and thorough, taking significantly longer depending on the extent of growth.

Ivy Removal Costs by Treatment: Which Method Fits?

Most poison ivy removal companies offer three treatment methods: herbicide spraying, manual removal, and a combination of the two.

Herbicide

Herbicide treatment is generally the most affordable ivy removal method, where a local landscaper applies a strong chemical that poisons and kills the plant over several days to weeks. The main drawback is that herbicides may not fully eliminate the roots, leaving open the possibility of regrowth, and the chemicals can pose risks to humans, animals, and surrounding plants.

Manual Removal

Manual removal is the most expensive and labor-intensive option, involving a professional digging out the ivy by hand to better ensure the roots are fully eliminated. Homeowners who want to avoid harsh chemicals on their lawn often choose this method, though it requires considerably more time and effort than herbicide treatment.

Combination

The combination method sits between herbicide and manual removal in both cost and effort, with a technician first applying herbicide and then returning once the plant dies to remove the debris by hand. Dead ivy is generally easier to extract than live growth, making this a practical middle ground for homeowners who want more thorough removal without committing to full manual extraction from the start.

Pro Tip

A good method is to cut back any ivy to the roots, then treat the roots with a strong herbicide. Once the roots are dead, in about 2 to 4 weeks, you can pull them out.

Andy Simms
Expert Reviewer

Why You Should Hire a Yard Cleanup Pro

A gardener with gloves pulling out overgrown ivy from a garden border
Christian / Adobe Stock

While you could save between $400 and $600 by removing ivy yourself, there are several factors to consider before performing DIY ivy removal. Your personal safety tops the list, as poison ivy and other species can cause severe irritations or worse, and can't be disposed of easily. DIY herbicide use can carry health and safety risks as well. Additionally, working from ladders to reach climbing ivy can also pose a risk of injury. Hiring a local yard cleanup pro to handle the task is your best option. 

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a yard cleanup professional 

Ivy can be stubborn and hazardous to remove, so here's why hiring a pro is your best option:

  • Professionals can accurately identify ivy species and choose the safest and most effective treatment method.

  • Yard cleanup pros know how to remove vines without damaging trees, fences, or landscaping.

  • Experts use the proper protective gear and follow safety protocols to reduce exposure to urushiol, the substance in certain ivy varieties that causes an intense rash. 

  • Pros understand when and how to use herbicides and how to avoid harming pets or desirable plants.

  • They have access to professional-grade products, which can be more effective than store-bought versions. 

  • Your yard cleanup pro will know how to handle ivy disposal in accordance with local regulations. 

  • Reputable companies may offer work warranties or can provide follow-up visits if necessary. 

If you want to DIY ivy removal

If you want to participate in the ivy removal process, focus on smaller, more manageable tasks, such as the following:

  • Clearing leaves, brush, and obstacles so your ivy removal pro can reach the offending growth easily

  • If it's safe and legal to do so, you can often tackle ivy disposal after the removal is complete

  • Limiting DIY work to small ground-level patches rather than vines growing up trees or structures

  • Monitoring the area after treatment, noting any regrowth, and reporting it to your specialist

Tips to Reduce Poison Ivy Removal Costs

The easiest way to save money on poison ivy removal costs is to not let the problem get out of control. As soon as you notice ivy, take steps to eradicate it, either yourself or with the help of a professional. The smaller the area that has to be treated, the less you'll pay.

If you're already dealing with extensive ivy, the most affordable way to treat it is through herbicide spraying. Once the ivy plant is dead, you can save further by disposing of the refuse yourself. However, remember that caustic urushiol oil remains even in dead leaves, stems, and roots, so you'll need to take great care when handling debris.

Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
  • Be ready to describe the types, locations, and details of the ivy you're having trouble with. 

  • Discuss your options for removal methods, including the use of herbicides, manual removal, or a combination of both. 

  • Review the cost estimate to determine whether disposal, a guarantee, or follow-up visits are included in the scope of the work. 

  • Ask about ongoing maintenance tasks you can perform to prevent regrowth.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Because poison ivy and similar plants can cause potentially life-threatening allergic reactions depending on your sensitivity, it's best to hire a professional to remove it. Hiring a local lawn care service or other professional also increases your chances of successful eradication so that you don't have to deal with the issue again several months down the road.

You may not love the idea of doing yard work in the cold, but winter is the best time to remove ivy. The fall works too, once the vines enter their dormant season, but you want to make sure you’ve pruned them back before the spring growing season.

If you're removing ivy as part of an effort to tidy up your yard, consider contacting a local yard cleanup company so that they can help you remove other debris, like clippings and branches. Or, if you’ve opted to hire a junk removal service, consider what other areas of the home you can clean out to get your money’s worth from the trash pick up.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.

The homeowners guide to landscaping services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.